Very Good!4.2 / 5Apr 26, 2018
Charles W. advanced skier
Ski Portillo
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Pros
- Rarely crowded
- A tradition of world-class hospitality
- Extreme terrain and steep slopes
Cons
- Limited groomed runs and beginner terrain
Overall
When you think of skiing in Chile, you probably think of world famous Portillo. Established in 1966, it’s where the legendary Jean-Claude Killy got his first international downhill win, and it ranks in the late, great Warren Miller’s top ten worldwide! Portillo offers an incomparable level of service – with as many staff as guests! The terrain is epic, the scenery is unrivaled, and the place is as rich in tradition as it is skier camaraderie.
Best month to go
August
The best month to visit Ski Portillo is August because it has the best combination of snow coverage and comfortable temperature, plus it's after the rush of the winter school holidays.
FLY TO
Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport
DRIVE/BUS TO
Portillo (2 hours)
Base of Portillo (Walk)
- Iconic Hotel Portillo offers over 100 rooms
- All dining and activities take place at the resort
- Octagon Lodge and Inca Lodge are more economical options
For beginners
Portillo has very limited beginner terrain with just four slopes to choose from. The best spot for never-evers to start off is on the easy El Corralito slope off the El Corralito magic carpet and Princesa off the Princesa surface lift. Once they've gained a bit of confidence, beginners can take the La Lomas quad chair to El Puma and Bajada Del Tren off the Los Canarios surface lift to try their twists and turns on longer slopes.
For intermediates
While there are only two long groomed trails here, intermediates will have a wider range of terrain to choose from than beginners. There are a few trails to explore but our favorite would have to Juncalillo, a 1 mi blue off the La-Laguna quad chair, the longest run here! For those looking to take it to the next level, Plateau is an intermediate-advanced run that is definitely worth trying out!
For experts
Portillo is known for its steep slopes, cliffs and extreme terrain which can be found off the Cóndor, Las Vizcachas, Roca Jack and El Caracara surface lifts. For those up for a real adventure, hike from the Roca Jack surface lift to the legendary Super C couloir. For something a little less intense, try out Lake Run off Cóndor, it's our personal favorite offering up real steep slopes down to the lake and incredible views on the way.
Find freshies
The best snow can be found off-piste with the high traverse (south) off the top of the Roca Jack surface lift offering over 1,000 yd of powder terrain. Other off-piste areas worth exploring for powder include near Lake Run off Cóndor and La Garganata from Plateau chair.
Ditch the crowds
You won't find many crowds at Portillo but if you do, they're usually during the middle two weeks of July which are the winter school holidays here. As the terrain is best suited for advanced and experts, the Cóndor, Las Vizcachas, Roca Jack and El Caracara surface lifts can also get quite busy as they serve the most challenging terrain.
Non skiers
Portillo offers a range of fun indoor activities for non-skiers so they won't get bored! There's a basketball court, indoor soccer field and even free yoga classes but non-skiers will probably be spending quite a lot of time in the heated outdoor pool which offers some of the most stunning scenery of the lake and mountains. While other outdoor activities for non-skiers might be limited to snowshoeing, the resort also offers plenty of fun activities during their special event weeks including family week, Chilean wine week, friends week and wine fest.
Families
Portillo makes for a great family-friendly stress-free vacation with all-inclusive packages including four-meals per day, lift tickets and lodging. While it might not have a large variety of terrain, the slopes at Portillo are still fantastic for families with Juncalillo and Plateau being our favorites. Their excellent ski school also offers lessons in several different languages. Off slopes, the resort offers a range of family activities for family weeks during the month of July!
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Ski Portillo Reviews
Charles W. Very Good!4 / 5Nov 12, 2017
JCJose C.
It's a really small but extremely cozy ski resort with one of the most beautiful views between the mountains from the Andes and the "Inca" lake (which has a very interesting history)
3 hours away from Santiago it's seems too much but there is a town closer called Los Andes and if you want you can go to Mendoza, Argentina within 3 hours as well, so... Moreadvanced snowboarder
Fabulous!4.2 / 5Nov 07, 2017
JBJeffrey B.
The "Cruise Ship" of the Andes. Arrive. Drop your bags. Put on your gear. Prepare for EPIC. Feast at Tio Bob's for lunch. Continue EPIC. To recover - Pool. Sauna. Pisco Sour. Repeat as needed. Listen to the band in the bar. Dance with the beautiful people in the disco. Go to bed. Wake up and do EPIC all over again.... Moreexpert skier